International Composition Competition & Symphonic Lab Generation 2026 Mezinárodní skladatelská soutěž a symfonická laboratoř

The 51st edition of the competition is now open for applications:

‘Under 30’ Category for composers under 30 years of age – compositions for chamber orchestra^6a
‘Under 21’ Category for composers under 21 years of age – chamber compositions^6b

Applications are open until January 24, 2026.

The results of the first round of the ‘Under 30’ Category and the final results of the ‘Under 21’ Category will be announced on February 28, 2026.

Jury of the competition

Ondřej Adamek, composer, conductor, chairman of the jury
Markéta Dvořáková, composer, teacher, on behalf of the Ostrava Creative Center
Marián Lejava, composer, conductor, teacher
Mateusz Ryczek, composer, vice-chairman of the Polish Composers' Union
Vito Žuraj, composer

Contact

Please feel free to get in touch generace@generace.net for any questions not answered below.

The competition is organized by the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival in cooperation with the Creative Center Ostrava.

‘Under 30’ Category

‘Under 30’ Category is focused on giving the young composers the chance to truly learn how to work with an orchestra – not only in the score, but also through direct contact, so that they can discover where the real strength and potential of the orchestra lies.

The Final Round

Up to five finalists selected in the first round will be invited to work with the orchestra under the guidance of the jury members during rehearsals and performance of their compositions in Ostrava on June 15–16, 2026.

Final Concert within the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival
Tuesday June 16, 2026 from 19:00
Vesmír, Ostrava

Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava
Marián Lejava – conductor

The results of the ‘Under 30’ Category will be announced immediately after the concert, at three levels:

Main Award
Orchestra Award
Audience Award

Authors of the three best compositions of the Main Award will receive a financial reward:

First Prize 2,000 EUR
Second Prize 1,000 EUR
Third Prize 500 EUR

Symphonic Lab

During the preparatory phase of the competition, the finalists of the ‘Under 30’ Category will be invited to sketch a composition for a large symphony orchestra. After the final concert of the competition, they will work on the composition at a seminar led by Ondřej Adámek, Marián Lejava and Vito Žuraj in Hukvaldy on June 17 and 18. The seminar is open to all finalists regardless of the results of the competition.

The finalists will then complete the composition and submit it before the deadline for the competition’s next edition (by the end of 2026). The jury will later choose the best composition for large orchestra, to be performed within the main program of the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival in 2027 and to receive further financial support.

‘Under 30’ Category rules and conditions

To participate in the final round, the contestants must be available from June 14 to June 19, 2026. The festival will provide their accommodation for the entire period (in Ostrava and Hukvaldy). On top of that, each of them is entitled to reimbursement of travel costs up to EUR 250.
Composers born after January 24, 1996 (inclusive) can apply for the ‘Under 30’ Category.
The competition is non-anonymous. Each composer can submit one composition (in one of the categories).
Only previously unawarded compositions are accepted.
The composition must not exceed 20 minutes.
6a) Chamber orchestra shall consist of up to 35 musicians in total: up to 2 flutes, up to 2 oboes, up to 2 clarinets, up to 2 bassoons, up to 2 French horns, up to 2 trumpets, up to 1 timpani player and 1 percussionist, up to 1 harp and a string section of 6 first violins, 5 second violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos and 2 double basses. It is suggested to use groups of musicians rather than individual players. Please consider the group of players as an orchestra and not as a contemporary music ensemble. Compositions for string orchestra are also eligible, as long as the parts are not structured for individual players.
Scores shall be submitted in PDF format. The composer needs to provide the complete parts of the composition (ready to be performed) promptly upon request.
Each composer will be charged an administrative fee of EUR 25, which is payable upon submitting the application (via the payment gateway). If for any reason the payment fails, the composer will be requested to make an additional payment. The application is fully eligible only after the payment is credited to the account of the organizing organization (Janáčkův máj, o.p.s. with registered office at 28. října 2556/124, 702 00 Ostrava, VAT No. CZ26807882). The administrative fee is non-refundable.
The jury reserves the right not to award any of the prizes or to divide them among several authors.
The best composer from the Czech Republic (regardless of the category) will receive a special financial reward of 15,000 CZK from the AHUV.

Timeline of the ‘Under 30’ Category

November 24, 2025 – applications open
January 24, 2026 – application deadline
February 28, 2026 – announcement of the compositions selected for the final round
15–16 June 2026 – Final Round (in Ostrava): orchestral rehearsals with the finalists present, the final concert and the announcement of the results
17–18 June 2026 – Symphonic Lab (in Hukvaldy): composition seminar for the finalists with Ondřej Adámek, Marián Lejava and Vito Žuraj

‘Under 21’ Category

‘Under 21’ Category is focused on chamber music. The best compositions selected by the jury will be performed as part of the "Hudební současnost" festival in Ostrava in fall 2026. Composers will have the opportunity to participate in rehearsals and the concert and work with the performers. In addition, a composition seminar led by one of the jury members will be available for them.

The author of the best composition will receive a financial reward:

First Prize EUR 1,000

‘Under 21’ Category rules and conditions

The festival will provide accommodation for the authors of the winning compositions in Ostrava during the concert and seminar (to be determined later), and each of them is entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses up to EUR 250. Participation is voluntary.
Composers born after January 24, 2005 (inclusive) can apply for the ‘Under 21’ Category.
The competition is non-anonymous. Each composer can submit one composition (in one of the categories).
Only previously unawarded compositions are accepted.
The composition must not exceed 20 minutes.
6b) Chamber music composition shall be written for either solo instrument without accompaniment, or solo instrument with piano accompaniment, or small chamber ensemble of 2–9 instruments in various combinations.
Scores shall be submitted in PDF format. The composer needs to provide the complete parts of the composition (ready to be performed) promptly upon request.
Each composer will be charged an administrative fee of EUR 25, which is payable upon submitting the application (via the payment gateway). If for any reason the payment fails, the composer will be requested to make an additional payment. The application is fully eligible only after the payment is credited to the account of the organizing organization (Janáčkův máj, o.p.s. with registered office at 28. října 2556/124, 702 00 Ostrava, VAT No. CZ26807882). The administrative fee is non-refundable.
The jury reserves the right not to award any of the prizes or to divide them among several authors.
The best composer from the Czech Republic (regardless of the category) will receive a special financial reward of 15,000 CZK from the AHUV.

Timeline of the ‘Under 21’ Category

November 24, 2025 – applications open
January 24, 2026 – application deadline
February 28, 2026 – announcement of the ‘Under 21’ Category results
fall 2026 – concert performance of the winning compositions in Ostrava with the authors present, composition seminar

Apply